Caught Selling Alcohol to Minor

An East Hampton Town police undercover operation Friday to root out sellers of alcoholic beverages who sell, knowingly or unknowingly, to minors, resulted in five arrests.

“For the most part, there is compliance to the law,” Detective Lt. Chris Anderson said Tuesday about local merchants.

The operation, run under guidelines set down by the New York State Liquor Authority, utilized an underage agent, who was sent in to establishments throughout the town over a seven-hour period Friday night. The operation targeted various delicatessens and bars, where the youth attempted to purchase beer or, in the case of bars, a mixed drink.

In most cases, he was turned away, but in five, he wasn’t, according to the police.

The five arrested are now facing misdemeanor charges of selling alcohol to someone under 21 years old.

Those arrested include, in the order they were made, Casal R. Seigas, 67, of Montauk, who works at Old Stone Market in Amagansett, Christina L. Bermeco, 27, of East Hampton, who works at Damark Deli, Hollie Meyers, 53, of East Hampton, who was behind the counter at Maidstone Market, Nelli M. Lopez, 31, also of East Hampton, who is employed by Chiquita Latina, and the only bartender who allegedly succumbed to the sting, John Caravaggio, of Port Richey, Fla., who was behind the bar at Memory Motel on Friday.

All five were issued appearance tickets for a future appearance in court.